Picture caption: Nolwazi Cele Last year's winner from Umlazi B section owner of Balloons Express

Last year saw the launch of the uMlazi Mega City Seed project where Nolwazi Cele of Umlazi B section and owner of Balloons Express who walked away with the R300 000 start up business package.

To play its part in economic renewal in the city, uMlazi Mega City (UMC) is once again going all out to creating jobs as well as support and incubate local start-ups via an exciting competition, and now in its second year of this successful project planting the seed of entrepreneurship in uMlazi, the Centre is excited and looking forward to implementing this innovative incubation programme.

UMC are looking for entrepreneurs with exciting new retail ideas to apply, where yet another lucky winner stands to win the opportunity to win space at the mall for a year (rent free), professional business consulting and a social media start-up package as well as mentoring and advice on how to register their new business. Together, the package is worth more than a whopping R300 000.

This competition is open to those up-and-coming entrepreneurs’ residing within the uMlazi, Lamontville community or within a 15km radius of Umlazi.

Entrepreneurs need to be over 18 years of age and must submit a copy of their South African ID, an innovative start up business proposal, visuals of the product/s and a profile which illustrates why you should win this once in a lifetime business start-up opportunity.

Remember, the judges want to know all about your business, the growth and potential job creation opportunities as well as the scale of your business idea.

Once UMC know all about your exciting new business concept, they can begin to design your unique retail space which will be positioned within the mall for a year rent-free. It will include an exciting creative graphic design featuring your special brand identity. They will also assist with social media content creation, boosting and posting on the uMlazi social media page which has over 20 000 followers for a month.

The entrepreneur business development package, which is valued at over R300 000, includes assistance with registering your business, training, mentorship and support.

All interested applicants must submit their proposals and “plant the seed” of their entrepreneurial skill for the judges before Wednesday, December 7th, 2022, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - remember no late applications will be considered.

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